Can my child's coach text my child, drive them alone, or room with them at an away regatta?

Question

Accepted Answer

Not without safeguards. USRowing's Abuse Prevention and Response Policy (effective September 1, 2026) applies the U.S. Center for SafeSport's Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) to every USRowing member club:

One-on-one contact between an adult and a minor athlete must be observable and interruptible, except in an emergency or under a documented exception (for example, the adult is no more than 4 years older and has no authority over the athlete).
Texts, email and social media: one-on-one messages must be "open and transparent", meaning a parent/guardian, another adult family member or another adult participant is copied. Team-wide messages must also copy another adult. You can ask in writing that adults stop contacting your child electronically, and they must comply.
Transportation: an adult may drive a minor one-on-one only with your advance written consent, renewed at least annually. Otherwise another adult, or at least two minors aged 8 or older, must be in the vehicle.
Lodging: an adult cannot share a hotel room or sleep in the same room as a minor unless an exception applies and you gave advance written consent for that specific arrangement. Room checks need at least two adults.
Locker rooms and boathouse changing areas: no photos or recording by anyone, and you can ask in writing that your child not change or shower alongside adults.
Individual training sessions need your advance written consent (at least annually), and you must be allowed to watch.

Training: coaches and other adults with regular contact with or authority over minors must complete SafeSport Trained Core before that contact begins (and within 45 days of joining or taking the role), then a refresher every 12 months. Clubs must offer a free parent course every year.

Reporting: sexual misconduct or child abuse goes to the U.S. Center for SafeSport (uscenterforsafesport.org) and local authorities. Other misconduct can go to the club first, then to USRowing through its incident report form.